Ben Simmons is getting another opportunity in the NBA after agreeing to a one-year, minimum-salary contract with the Sacramento Kings.
The former No. 1 overall pick did not play during the 2025-26 season while focusing on getting healthy.
Sacramento’s interest reportedly increased after Simmons impressed against NBA players at an Australian national team mini-camp.
“Once he played well in that camp in Australia, that’s when I think (Kings general manager) Scott Perry got really interested,” Marc J. Spears said.
Perry later traveled to Miami to meet with Simmons and watch him work out before the 30-year-old completed another workout in Sacramento.
Head coach Doug Christie was reportedly quickly convinced.
“Within minutes, Doug Christie was like, ‘I’m good. Let’s get him.’ He looked great,’” Spears said. “… (Simmons is) really, really happy, and proud, and excited to be a Sacramento King.”
Simmons also appears to have made progress physically after undergoing back surgeries in 2022 and 2024.
His godfather David Patrick believes the confidence and athleticism that helped Simmons become a three-time All-Star have returned.
“For me, over the last probably three months, that swagger, that confidence that he once had, was back,” Patrick said. “… I felt he was back to where he was athletically and mentally from his times at Philly when he was a three-time All-Star.”
Simmons is expected to compete for minutes at point guard, potentially behind rookie Darius Acuff Jr., although his role remains open.
Christie has reportedly told him to “come in and be himself,” giving Simmons an opportunity to compete for a starting position.
